Take inventory

Know how the space needs to serve your
family and the guests who will visit (whether
it’s children or older adults). That means asking yourself how you are going to use the
room’s space. List every single function that
will take place in that space. For each function
(such as doing homework, entertaining guests,
paying bills, watching television or scrapbooking), list the space (including surface space)
that activity requires. See where the overlap is,
so you understand how much flat surface you
might need, versus how much storage you
need. Search out pieces that can help you tick
off as many things from your list as possible.

Ireland is also a big believer in keeping
everything at the proper scale. “Don’t let your
furniture swallow too much air,” she says.
Furniture that is too big for a space, such as an
oversize entertainment center stuffed into a
tiny nook, can feel oppressive. On the other
hand, a tiny couch with too much wall space
around it can feel wasteful and uninviting.

Safety first

Safety is Ireland’s number-one priority in
her furniture designs, she says, and it’s especially important in rooms that will double as
a nursery. First, check to see if the products
you’re buying adhere to safety standards. For
example, do they come with a built-in anti-tip

WAREHOUSE ONLY

Jeffrey Olsen

Furniture Buyer Buyer’s pıck

FRANCE FREEMAN

WHETHER YOU ARE DOWNSIZING to a
condo, live in an apartment or have limited dining space in your home, pub sets
are in vogue for home use. Costco has a
set that works on many levels.

The three-piece “Divino” pub set (item
#370185) features a beautiful table that
measures 36 inches in height with a
40-inch-diameter marble top and solid
wood legs. The legs are easy to attach and
you’re good to go. Two tall, dark brown,
bonded-leather bar stools with tufted backs
are included and come fully assembled.

When we bought this item we saw it
as a flexible piece that can go in multiple
areas of the home—game room, bonus